Fisherman&#39;s bait trap and carrier



March s, 1927. 1,620,617v

L.. MARSH ET AL FIsRERMAN's BAIT TRAP AND CARRIER Filed/spul 25, 1925 Patented Mar. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,620,61? PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS MARSH AND OLIVER J'. DUFRESNE, 0F ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA; SAID LOUIS MARSH ASSIGNOR TO SAID OLIVER J. DUFRESNE.

FISI-IERMANS BAIT TRAP AND CARRIER.

Application filed Apr125, 1925.

It is our object to provide an improved iishermans device, adapted to facilitate handling and carrying live bait, such as minnows and trogs, the invention including a compact container, a part ot' which, is adapted for use as a trap i'or minuows. rI his invention also includes certain other novel features ot construction, which will be more fully pointed out in the following specification and claim.

In the accompanying drawings, we have illustrated the best torni ot our device at present known to us. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view ot our invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation ot' the minnow trap, separate Jr'i'oni the carrier; Fig. 3 is a plan View oft an end ot one ot the trap units and Fig. 4 is a centra-l, vertical section through the bait carrier and trap.

As illustrated, we provide a container 5 for water, adapted to be carried by abail 6 ot common form. The container 5 is pro vided with a cover 7, having an annular -Flange 8, adapted to rest upon the upper edge of the container 5 and a second flange 9, adapted to tit Within the top ot said container. Rigidly secured to the inner suri'ace ot the cover 7 is a toraininous basket 10 tor t'rogs. This basket is provided with a door 11 mounted on a hinge 12 and arranged to be maintained in closed position by a coiled spring 13. The door l1 has a handle lll and is formed with a central opening` covered by suitable wire screening 15.

Fitting within the container 5 is a minnow trap 16 composed ot two identical sections adapted to telescope one within the other, as shown in Figure 4. One end l? oit each 'of the trap sections is conical in shape, being arranged to project inward. Suitable open: ings 18 in the conical ends 17 are arranged to admit minnows to the trap. The opposite ends are open and arranged to register one with the other. Said ends are provided, as shown in Figure 3, with a series oi' loops 19, 2() and 2l, which are formed by bending outward a wire which encircles the end ot' each section. The trap 16 and basket 10 are made of suitable small mesh wire or other foraminous material.

To assemble the trap, as shown in Figure Serial N'o. 25,817.

ot each of the trap sections into the loop 2() on the companion trap section and to secure the loops 21 together by means of a suitable wire or cord. To set the trap 16, the sections are removed 'from the container 5, and atter inserting suitable bait, are assembled, as shown in Figure 2. The trap is then immersed in a lake or other body ot water and allowed to remain over night tor catoliing n'iinnows, which enter the trap through the openings 18 in the conical ends 17.

IVhen the minnows have been thus caught, they are transferred to the container 5, which is partially tilled with water, as indicated in Figure Ll. The trap sections may be readily separatedby merely disconnect .ing the loops 21, and after tilting one section relative to the other, withdrawing the loops 19 from the loops 20. lVith the trap sections separated, and with Vthe minnows in one section, the latter may be telescoped into the other, and both sections placed within the container' 5, as shown in Figure 4. The cover 7 may now be placed upon the container 5, with the tlanges 9 extending within the upperl end ot' said container, and the flanges 8 resting upon Vthe upper margin thereof. Frogs or other live bait may now be placed in the basket 1() in the top oi the container 5 by inserting such bait through the door 11. As will now be readily understood, trogs and minnows may be readily carried in the compact container 5, and such bait is kept alive in and above the water in the container until needed.

Having described our invention what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

The combination with a container' for water, of a minnow t ap, formed in sections adapted to be telescoped one within the other within said container, and a cover for said container composed of toraminous inaterial throughout the greater portion of its area, a foraininous basket rigidly attached thereto and positioned above the water in said container, said cover closing the top ot said basket and said cover being provided with a spring-actuated door arranged to allow access to the interior of said basket.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto signed our names to this speciiication.

OLIVER J. DUFRESNE. LOUIS MARSH. 

